Old war office potential sell-off

The £100m sale of the Old War Office in Whitehall has received approval from defence secretary Philip Hammond, according to a report.

The building was once use by Winston Churchill as his war office, and has potential for a £500 million re-development.

The news, reported in Estates Gazette, comes after a Parliamentary question from Lord Hennessy of Nympsfield as to future plans for the building on 7 March.

Lord Astor of Hever, under-secretetary of state for the MoD, responded by saying: "The MoD intends to vacate the Old War Office during financial year 2014-15 and Her Majesty's Government are currently examining options to sell the building. I will write to the noble Lord when an announcement is to be made."

According to the report, the Government Property Unit will likely be put in charge of negotiating a sale, and will look for an agent in the summer.

The GPU was unable to comment further when contacted by Sitematch London.